RVIA Lowers Seal Price Effective Jan. 1, 2011

The board of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) has adopted a new budget for 2011, which includes a $5 reduction, down to $20, in the RVIA seal price effective Jan. 1, 2011.

This is the third reduction in the seal price since the board raised it to $35 in July 2009 to ease pressure on the association budget caused by the reduction in show and dues revenue triggered by the economic downturn. Similar $5 reductions occurred in April 2010 and July 2010, according to an RVIA news release.

The board also instructed staff to continue monitoring and reviewing shipment volume every 90 days to determine the need for future seal price adjustments.

The new $20 seal fee taking effect in January will apply to all member manufacturer vehicle types. The Go RVing per unit assessment of manufacturer members remains at the current levels of $46 for folding camping trailers and truck campers; $61 for travel trailers and fifth-wheel travel trailers; and $74 for motorhomes.

The action came during the board’s meeting in Park City, Utah, on Tuesday (Sept. 21). As previously reported, Gregg Fore, president of Dicor Corp., was elected RVIA chairman at the meeting.

“The board has elected an experienced, insightful leader to be our next chairman,” said RVIA President Richard Coon. “Gregg is a very active and involved member in the association and that participation has been an invaluable asset to RVIA and the industry. I look forward to working with him in the coming year.”

Fore has served on the RVIA board since 1999 and has extensive experience on the Executive Committee, having held the posts of first vice chairman, second vice chairman and treasurer. He has also chaired the Audit Committee, Awards Committee, Standards Steering Committee, and Strategic Planning Committee and served as a member of the Nominating Committee and Public & Legislative Affairs Committee. He was honored with RVIA’s Distinguished Service to the RV Industry Award in 2009.

In addition, the RVIA Board of Directors elected other officers to join Chairman Fore on the Executive Committee, including Doug Gaeddert, general manager, Forest River Inc., as first vice chairman; Bob Olson, chairman of the board, CEO and president, Winnebago Industries Inc., as second vice chairman; Derald Bontrager, president and COO, Jayco Inc., as treasurer; and John Regan, chairman, Fabric Services, as secretary.

All officers will begin their one-year terms on Oct. 1 and are joined by Chairman Ex Officio Jim Sheldon, special assistant to the president, Monaco RV LLC, and Coon on the Executive Committee.

FY2011 Budget Approved

Also during their meeting at the Park City Hotel, the RVIA board approved a $12.1 million dollar budget for the upcoming fiscal year that holds the line on membership costs for dues and show space rates while reducing the cost of seals to manufacturer members.

The RVIA board also approved recommendations from the ad hoc China Committee to continue efforts to capitalize on the potential of the RV industry developing in China by pursuing strategic activities to make the Chinese RV market more U.S. product friendly. Such efforts may include:

Hosting a reception for Chinese visitors at the National RV Trade Show.

Working to hold RV standards and regulatory workshops in China.

Promoting the RV lifestyle and organizing trade missions with China.

Pursuing a reduction in tariffs and duties imposed by China on U.S. RV products.

Developing more information for members on how to conduct business in China.

During the meeting, the board also received an update on Recreation Vehicle Dealer Association (RVDA) activities from RVDA Chairwoman Debbie Brunoforte; a presentation on the national economic and RV market outlook from Richard Curtin; and a report on activities centered on the developing Chinese market from China Committee Chairman Wilbur Bontrager.